Car Accessories

Back in August I told you about XM SkyDock, the first satellite radio controlled by the iPhone or iPod touch. The company just announced that it is now available at retail stores, including Best Buy, Radio Shack, as well as online at www.xmradio.com/skydock.

With this device you can listen to XM programming wherever you drive and control it with your iPhone or iPod touch. Like a song you hear? Songs can be tagged and then purchased from the iTunes Store. XM SkyDock will also charge your iPod touch and iPhone while you're listening to satellite radio.

Installation is easy, as the device works through the existing car stereo. You can even move it from vehicle to vehicle. An Aux In Cable is included for cars with Aux In capability.Read more

TomTom's car kit for iPhone is now available on the TomTom web store and Apple online store for about $120. A bit pricey (in my opinion), considering you have to purchase the TomTom iPhone app separately for $100. However, you will save money by not having to pay monthly fees for GPS service on the iPhone.

The TomTom car kit for iPhone includes a secure mount that docks the iPhone on the windshield or dashboard. It can be docked in either portrait or landscape mode, and is easily removed with a twist.

It also has a built-in GPS receiver to reduce signal drop, and a built-in loudspeaker and microphone for hands-free calling while driving. Music from your iPhone can also be played through the AUX OUT port over your car stereo (cable not included), and it charges your iPhone while docked.Read more

TomTom has introduced yet another new GPS to the marketplace. The XL 335S has all of the standard features you would expect in a PND, but adds text to speech to the mix and a new easy-to-use menu. The XL 335S also touts a 4.3 inch touchscreen, IQ Routes Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance.

Additional Features:

• Complete maps of the US and Canada
• Spoken instructions, including street and place names
• Seven million points of interest give you details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before
• TomTom Map Share technology allows you to instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more
• TomTom Help Me! Menu gives you direct access to safety and emergency services information
• TomTom's newest user menu has an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount folds to fit in any bag or shirt pocket
• TomTom HOME desktop application to keep devices up-to-date at all times.

No availability date has been given yet, but you can bet it will be in stores in time for the holiday season. The XL 335S will sell for $239.95.

TomTom just announced the new TomTom XL 340S LIVE, a mid-range GPS that features Local Search powered by Google, real-time traffic information and TomTom Fuel Price Service. AT&T will be providing the wireless connection to the device.

The TomTom XL 340S LIVE also includes IQ Routes technology, TomTom Weather and QuickGPSfix. All LIVE Services work right out of the box via a built-in wireless modem. Three months of service is included in the box.Read more

TomTom just announced the new XXL 530S and XXL 540S portable navigation devices which include IQ Routes Technology and a large five inch screen.

With TomTom's IQ Routes technology you'll always know the most efficient route to take. The technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of day and for every road – including local roads.

The new TomTom XXL devices feature:

• Full maps of the US and Canada
• TomTom Map Share technology - modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on the device
• TomTom Help Me menu - access local emergency service providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.
• TomTom's newest user menu - features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount - folds flat against the device, for easy transport
• TomTom HOME - the free desktop application to keep devices up-to-date

Parrot just announced a new car stereo with a dock for the iPod or iPhone, the Parrot RKi8400. The RKi8400 is an FM/AM RDS Bluetooth car stereo with a USB port, an SD Card reader, and offers hands-free phone functions. It has a cool little storage compartment located behind the removable front panel – perfect for hiding your iPhone or iPod when you leave the car (that is, if you don't take it with you).

"With the RKi8400, Parrot allows users to take advantage of the iPhone in car through a system that is easy to use and fully integrated in any vehicle," said Henri Seydoux, founder and CEO of Parrot. "All iPhone functions -- music, navigation of the music directory and playlists and Bluetooth phone capabilities -- have been adapted for in-car use. Parrot's application of its renowned acoustic quality and voice recognition capabilities to the iPhone is sure to please even the most discerning listeners."

The Parrot RKi8400 is available now for $399.99.

Zoombak announced today that their personal GPS tracking devices are now available at Best Buy. We told you about Zoombak tracking devices before, but to refresh your memory, Zoombak uses a satellite-enabled GPS and a location network server to find a lost pet, recover a stolen car, track your teen driver, find lost luggage, the list could go on and on...

But now, in addition to being able to locate the item, device, or person on demand from your PC, Zoombak lets you set up Speed Alerts and Safety Zones and receive an SMS Text message when a speed limit or safety zone has been broken. A great feature for those who have a newly licensed teenager in the house (like me).

Zoombak is available at Best Buy stores for $99.99 with a monthly service fee starting at $9.99, as well as being sold online at www.bestbuy.com.

Sirius XM just introduced SkyDock, a new dock for your iPhone and iPod touch that lets you listen to live Sirius XM radio from your device while in the car.

Designed for use through your existing vehicle audio system, SkyDock has a built-in XM tuner which is controlled by a free iPhone App. The App allows you to control the XM tuner using the iPod touch or iPhone Multi-Touch user interface. SkyDock will also charge your device while listening to live satellite radio.

Vehicle installation is easy with Sirius XM's PowerConnect technology which works through the existing vehicle radio and makes it easy to move the device from vehicle to vehicle. An Aux In Cable is also included for cars that have an Aux In jack. Read more

Scosche on Thursday announced the availability of its "green" solCHAT handsfree speakerphone. The device features an integrated solar panel that keeps the solCHAT's battery charged.

For added safety, it has a Voice announce caller ID that tells you the phone number of incoming calls, so you can know whether to take (or avoid) the call while keeping your eyes on the road.

The solCHAT has a simple three button design (volume up, volume down, and answer/hang-up) and automatic cell phone pairing. It doesn't get much easier than that.

The speakerphone comes with a USB charging cable and car adaptor for charging at night and on overcast days. A windshield suction cup mount and sun visor clip is also included.

The SolCHAT is available at Best Buy stores, www.bestbuy.com and www.scosche.com for just $99.99. It is coming soon to other major retailers.